Hello there!
Some have asked for resources to explore to learn more about
race, white fragility, white supremacy and reconciliation. I’ve compiled a list
below that have been recommended to me primarily by people of color, Christian
bloggers working within racial reconciliation (and who have Black sons) or
those from an education/research background. Some of them I’ve read and some
are on my “to read” list. I would recommend looking at a few and just start
somewhere. Pick a book and start. I challenge you not to put it down
when it makes you angry or when you feel offended. This is where I sit and
explore (easier said than done). I know that something has triggered me so I
think through it, talk about it with someone, pray about it and pause from
reading more. Ultimately, it tends to be something within me that needs to be
changed or softened and a new perspective is to be yielded.
If you’re Christian,
I hope you will pray for an open mind and heart before you start reading or
listening and listen to where God works within you. I challenge you to resist
your mind responding with excuses. This is a holy space meant for
reconciliation and human connection. I’m going to embed links on the titles, authors or organization pages to make your
research a little easier and save time so you can get started with your
journey!
I'm going to make this a page on the blog and will add to it as I learn more resources so please check back any time! This is heavy with African American resources but I will be added more as I get recommendations from trusted resources.
Books:
- Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson (this was a hard read for me and several times I wanted to toss the kindle out the window, I hung in there and learned so much “why” behind some African American perspectives that I never understood)
- Just Mercy By Bryan Stevenson
- Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Ibram X. Kendi (young adult version)
- How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- White Fragility: Why It's so Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo
- Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad
- Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji
Christian Books:
- Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison
- Image Bearers: Shifting from Pro-Birth to Pro-Life by Herbie Newell
Podcasts:
- 1619
- Good Ancestor (Layla Saad)
Instagram accounts to follow:
Programs for learning:
- We Stories (now has a national cohort for the first time! Wonderful site to explore resources and research)
St. Louis resources:
- We Stories
- Stop the Bleed
- Racial Violence Archive
- St. Louis Area Council on Restorative Justice
- St. Louis Story Stitchers
- Women's Voices Raised
- YWCA Witnessing Whiteness Program
- Forward Through Ferguson
- Arch City Defenders
Other ideas for growth and learning about diversity:
- Celebrate heritage months or festivals in our city or neighboring city or at museums
- (children) Check out books at the library about other cultures during those months or around holidays like Chinese New Year, Hanukkah, or Black History Month. You can get reading suggestions from sites such as The Conscious Kid , A Mighty Girl or We Need Diverse Books
- Read through Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
- Equal Justice Initiative
- Black Lives Matter -you can find action steps to take here to petition or contact Representatives
- Grab book ideas from the Antiracist Book Festival
- Start a book club with close friends that will let you process in a safe space and choose one of the books or discuss a podcast over wine or coffee
Enjoy!
